In a recent accident in my country, a mother and her child whom she was holding in her arms died from electrocution as soon as the mother turned on a rice cooker. I was shocked and afraid after hearing this. What can be the possible reason behind such an accident?

I do not expect that there will be any investigation on whether it was a faulty cooker or a serious fault in the electric line of the house. But I really want to know what can bring such mishaps?

I never use any electrical appliance that has worn out wires. I avoid using low quality extension cables too. What else can I do to assure that nothing like this happens to me?

 

Was she barefoot? That might be a reason.

 

Was she barefoot? That might be a reason.

Well, then the rice cooker should have had a warning that you must wear shoes to use it. Who knew?

 

Well, then the rice cooker should have had a warning that you must wear shoes to use it. Who knew?

Safety flip-flops also work.

 

Safety flip-flops also work.
View attachment 352202

HEhehehe. Be nice, guys.

 

What can be the possible reason behind such an accident?

Normally result from a faulty earth protection, either at the device or in the electrical supply in the household. If you are concerned about such dangers caused by faults or poor installation practice, simple testers are easy to come by.

 

The reason for the electrocution was a connection from the mains "hot side" to A PART OF THE RICE COOKER THAT THE WOMAN WAS TOUCHING, AND she was also touching something connected to the neutral side of the mains. THAT connection could have been barefoot on a cement floor, or it could have been a metal sink, or a metal faucet. It could even have been a "properly grounded" appliance, such as a toaster or a mixer or an electric water heating kettle.
As for a safety rule to avoid such injuries, ALWAYS avoid touching anything else, such as a faucet or any other appliance, when touching an electrical appliance. It does take two connections to get a shock. That could be your feet or your other hand, or a metal chair you are sitting on.

Another option is to install GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER outlets, because they will switch off the power before any shock is able do do any harm.

 

HEhehehe. Be nice, guys.

You laugh but they have saved lives from electrical faults. Overseas, I never walked barefoot. Once or twice I got that tingling from some random thing but not the jolt.

 

Was the rice cooker Class II (with a two core cable) or was it Class I (with a 3 core cable)?
If it was Class II, then the incident was caused, without doubt, by a fault on the appliance itself.
If it was Class I, then it is still most likely that it was caused by a fault on the appliance itself, or it could be caused by a fault in the earth wiring to the socket into which it was plugged, but, if that were the case, then other appliances plugged into the same socket would be live if any metal parts on them were touched.

 

Was the rice cooker Class II (with a two core cable) or was it Class I (with a 3 core cable)?
If it was Class II, then the incident was caused, without doubt, by a fault on the appliance itself.
If it was Class I, then it is still most likely that it was caused by a fault on the appliance itself, or it could be caused by a fault in the earth wiring to the socket into which it was plugged, but, if that were the case, then other appliances plugged into the same socket would be live if any metal parts on them were touched.

Sir, could you please let me know how to identify class 1 and class II? I mean, to know if the cooker comes with a 2-core cable or a 3-code cable, we need to cut the cable, remove the insulation and check, right? Is there any way to know from outside before making a purchase? Thanks.

 

The reason for the electrocution was a connection from the mains "hot side" to A PART OF THE RICE COOKER THAT THE WOMAN WAS TOUCHING, AND she was also touching something connected to the neutral side of the mains. THAT connection could have been barefoot on a cement floor, or it could have been a metal sink, or a metal faucet. It could even have been a "properly grounded" appliance, such as a toaster or a mixer or an electric water heating kettle.
As for a safety rule to avoid such injuries, ALWAYS avoid touching anything else, such as a faucet or any other appliance, when touching an electrical appliance. It does take two connections to get a shock. That could be your feet or your other hand, or a metal chair you are sitting on.

Another option is to install GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER outlets, because they will switch off the power before any shock is able do do any harm.

Sir, how can I look for and identify GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER outlets? Is there any particular company that manufactures these outlets? Thank you.

 

Was she barefoot? That might be a reason.

I really don't know. The media did not give this information.

 

Safety flip-flops also work.
View attachment 352202

Yeah, these sandals are often used by electricians, but at home, almost nobody wears them. Ladies will not even consider wearing these even though they are the ones who use electric home appliances most of the time.

 

Sir, could you please let me know how to identify class 1 and class II? I mean, to know if the cooker comes with a 2-core cable or a 3-code cable, we need to cut the cable, remove the insulation and check, right? Is there any way to know from outside before making a purchase? Thanks.

Firstly, depending on what country you are in (you didn't say) does it have a 2-pin or 3-pin plug? If your country doesn't have 2-pin plugs, look at the shape of the cable. If it is flat it is definitely two-core.

 

Hello,

If it is flat it is definitely two-core.

A round cable can also have two cores:
https://www.furneauxriddall.com/pro...x3_KpqXb67lYv3jn9tpj3cr8HHhGRJQNvuO4fY4Y_CfIQ

Bertus

 

There's also a possibility that the "journalist" buggered the facts so badly that the story barely resembles reality. If you've ever been involved in a newsworthy event, you'll know what I mean. The stories in the press made me wonder if it was the same event I was a witness to. Maybe it was pressurized and blew up. Who knows?

 

I believe this is the news story the OP is referring to:-

https://www.observerbd.com/news/531180

One reliable way of avoiding this type of incident in the home is to have the house electrics protected by a Ground Fault Interrupter (or Earth Leakage device), that detects a current imbalance between the supply Live and return Neutral – cutting the supply when such is detected.

 

I believe this is the news story the OP is referring to:-

https://www.observerbd.com/news/531180

One reliable way of avoiding this type of incident in the home is to have the house electrics protected by a Ground Fault Interrupter (or Earth Leakage device), that detects a current imbalance between the supply Live and return Neutral – cutting the supply when such is detected.

Sad story, completely preventable by simple measures and education.

 

Hello,


A round cable can also have two cores:
https://www.furneauxriddall.com/pro...x3_KpqXb67lYv3jn9tpj3cr8HHhGRJQNvuO4fY4Y_CfIQ

Bertus

That looks like really nice loudspeaker cable. 2.5mm^2 cores, but only 6.7mm overall diameter (says he, going completely off topic).

 

Sad story, completely preventable by simple measures and education.

And I'd also say, damned unlucky. I've managed to get my fingers in 230V often enough and am still here to tell the tale.